Merciless (Stephanie Mills album)
1983 studio album by Stephanie Mills
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Merciless is the seventh studio album by American R&B singer Stephanie Mills. It was released in 1983 and Stephanie's second release on Casablanca Records.[2] The album features two Billboard R&B hits in "Pilot Error", a cover version of Prince's "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" as well as "My Body" written by singer Luther Vandross. Merciless received a nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female at the 26th Grammy Awards in 1984.
ReleasedAugust 20, 1983
Recorded1982–1983
StudioThe Hit Factory
Automated Sound Studios
(New York)
Cherokee Recording Studios
The Record Plant
Bossa Nova Hotel
(Los Angeles)
Automated Sound Studios
(New York)
Cherokee Recording Studios
The Record Plant
Bossa Nova Hotel
(Los Angeles)
| Merciless | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | August 20, 1983 | |||
| Recorded | 1982–1983 | |||
| Studio | The Hit Factory Automated Sound Studios (New York) Cherokee Recording Studios The Record Plant Bossa Nova Hotel (Los Angeles) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Label | Casablanca | |||
| Producer |
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| Stephanie Mills chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Merciless | ||||
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Track listing
- "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?" (Prince) - 4:12
- "Never Get Enough of You" (David Wolfert, Henry Gaffney) - 4:31
- "Eternal Love" (Jay Asher, Paul Jabara) - 4:41
- "His Name Is Michael" (featuring Peggi Blu) (Cassandra Mills, Michael Sembello, Stephanie Mills) - 3:18
- "Here I Am" (David Wolfert, Henry Gaffney) - 4:13
- "My Body" (Luther Vandross) - 4:06
- "Do You Love Him?" (Barbara Morr, Betsy Durkin Matthes) - 3:47
- "Pilot Error" (Peter Kingsbery) - 5:07
- "Since We've Been Together" (Ralph Schuckett, Richard Kleinberg) - 3:13
Personnel
- Stephanie Mills – lead and backing vocals
- Greg Phillinganes – keyboards, acoustic piano
- Richard Tee – keyboards, acoustic piano
- Johnny Mandel – synthesizers, arrangements (7)
- Danny Sembello – synthesizers
- Nyle Steiner – synthesizers
- Ian Underwood – synthesizers
- Ed Walsh – synthesizers
- Buzz Feiten – guitars
- Carlos Rios – guitars
- Thom Rotella - guitars
- Michael Sembello – guitars, backing vocals
- David Wolfert – guitars, arrangements (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9), BGV arrangements
- Nathan East – bass
- Neil Stubenhaus – bass
- Ed Greene – drums
- John Robinson - drums
- Carlos Vega – drums
- Lenny Castro – percussion
- Victor Feldman – percussion
- Eddie Karam – arrangements (7)
- Ralph Schuckett – rhythm arrangements (9)
- Frank Floyd – BGV arrangements
- Peggi Blu – backing vocals
- Lani Groves – backing vocals
- Yvonne Lewis – backing vocals
- Cruz Sembello – backing vocals
- Myrna Smith – backing vocals
Technical
- John Arrais – engineer, mixing (1, 2, 3, 5–9), remixing (1, 2, 3, 5–9)
- Phil Ramone – mixing (4)
- Peter Chaiken – engineer
- Lee DeCarlo – engineer
- Bradshaw Leigh – engineer
- Brian McGee – engineer
- Marie Ostrosky – engineer
- Jay Rifkin – engineer
- Ted Jensen – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York, NY)
Production
- Charles Koppleman – executive producer
- Gary Klein – producer (1, 2, 3, 5–9)
- David Wolfert – producer (1, 2, 3, 5–9)
- Phil Ramone – producer (4)
- Linda Gerrity – production coordinator
- Glen Christensen – art direction, photography
- Mac James – artwork, design
- Bill King – inner sleeve photography
- Cassandra Mills – cover concept
- Stephanie Mills – cover concept
- Frank DeCaro – LA contractor
- Phil Medley – NY contractor
Charts
| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard 200[3] | 104 |
| US Billboard Top R&B Albums[4] | 12 |